Central State University to celebrate student achievements at 2025 Academic Recognition Convocation

Central State University will honor its high-achieving students during the 2025 Academic Recognition Convocation on April 1 at 10 a.m. in the Paul Robeson Cultural & Performing Arts Center and streamed live on the Central State Facebook and YouTube pages.  The annual event celebrates the outstanding academic accomplishments, leadership, and dedication of students across all colleges. 

Recognizing outstanding senior scholars 

The convocation highlights students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance, campus leadership, and service. Outstanding senior scholars are selected based on the following criteria: high GPA, active participation in college and University activities, active service in the students' communities, involvement in the students' respective fields (internships, conferences, etc.), outstanding public speaking, and/or membership in the Honors College. 

This year's outstanding senior scholars are Nya Brunson, Jairus Burrows, and Alanna Bryant.

College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education: Nya Brunson 

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Nya Brunson, a Journalism and Digital Media major from Glenwood, Illinois, is a dynamic campus leader. She serves as secretary of the Marauder Land Media Group, contributing to scriptwriting and reporting efforts. Brunson also leads the clarinet section of the Invincible Marching Marauders and participates in the poetry and performing arts group Illmatic Expressions. 

Additionally, Brunson captains the Central State trivia team, which has achieved national recognition by placing in the top 16 of the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge for two consecutive years. Brunson was also selected for the highly competitive Princeton University Research, Equity, Archives, Curation, and History (REACH) Program. 

Her academic excellence and campus engagement make her a standout honoree. 

John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture: Jairus Burrows 

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Jairus Burrows, a Biology major hailing from Nassau, the Bahamas, has distinguished himself through both academic achievements and research contributions. Burrows has served as a student research assistant on horticulture and microbiology projects. He has held roles such as executive assistant and honeybee research lab assistant, demonstrating his ability to manage tasks and conduct independent research. 

His leadership training includes programs with the Harvard Division of Continuing Education and the Princeton Leadership Academy. 

Burrows’ campus involvement includes membership in the Honors College, Golden Key International Honour Society, and NAACP. His honors include the Leontyne Price grant and the title of Mister Agricultural Research Development Program (ARDP) for 2023-2024. His extensive research experience and leadership skills exemplify Central State’s commitment to academic excellence. 

College of Business: Alanna Bryant 

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Alanna Bryant, of Lithonia, Georgia, a Business Administration major with a Marketing concentration, has exemplified academic excellence. Throughout her time at Central State, Bryant has served as a marketing intern in the Office of Career Services and as a social media strategist for the Honors College. Her external experiences include internships with CGI and Rocket Mortgage, where she gained valuable industry insights. 

Bryant’s dedication is reflected in her numerous accolades, including the Central State University Dean’s List (Spring 2021-present). Her scholarships include the following:  

• Central State University Freshman Scholarship 

• Resident Life Scholarship 

• Protective Life Insurance Scholarship 

• Charles Ted Endowed Scholarship 

• Dr. Charles Showell Scholarship 

• Burger King Endowed Scholarship 

• Cleveland Foundation, Dr. Jack Rumbaugh Memorial Scholarship 

• Honors College Scholarship 

• Continuing Student Scholarship 

Her unwavering support of the College of Business through active participation in its programs underscores her commitment to both academic and professional growth. 

Join us in celebration 

In addition to the outstanding senior scholars, college scholars (students with a cumulative GPA of 3.50 and above) and class scholars (students with a cumulative GPA of 3.20 to 3.49) will be recognized. 

The 2025 Academic Recognition Convocation is open to students, faculty, staff, and the public. The event serves as a testament to the University’s mission of fostering scholarly achievement and preparing students for impactful careers.